Cape Verde close in on historic first World Cup berth after stunning Cameroon

Cape Verde are on the brink of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the very first time after defeating African giants Cameroon 1-0 in Praia, Sport360NG reports.

The result puts the Blue Sharks four points clear of the Indomitable Lions at the top of Group D with just two rounds of fixtures left. Dalion Livramento’s brilliant solo goal midway through the second half sealed a famous win for the island nation.

Livramento dispossessed Carlos Baleba inside his own half before charging through the Cameroonian defence and finishing coolly past goalkeeper André Onana. Cameroon struggled to mount a response, with Vozinha keeping out Flavien Boyomo’s late effort while Bryan Mbeumo had a penalty appeal waved away.

The victory sparked wild celebrations in the capital, with jubilant fans flooding the pitch in a sea of flags and flares. For a country of fewer than 600,000 people, World Cup qualification would be unprecedented. Cape Verde now need just one more win from their final two games, against Libya and Eswatini, to make history.

Senegal fight back in Kinshasa thriller

In Group B, Senegal staged a dramatic comeback to beat DR Congo 3-2 in Kinshasa and climb to the top of the standings.

The Leopards raced into a 2-0 lead inside 33 minutes through Cédric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa, sending the Stade des Martyrs into a frenzy. But the reigning African champions responded with resilience.

Pape Gueye pulled one back before the break, and Nicolas Jackson levelled shortly after half-time. The turnaround was completed three minutes from time when Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr finished off Cheikh Sabaly’s cutback to silence the home crowd.

Senegal now hold a two-point cushion over DR Congo, who are still chasing just their second-ever World Cup appearance, their first having come in 1974 as Zaire.

Sudan’s challenge faded further after a 1-0 loss to Togo left them trailing the top two.

Nigeria slip up in South Africa

Nigeria’s hopes of automatic qualification from Group C suffered a major setback after a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein.

The Super Eagles fell behind in the 25th minute when William Troost-Ekong diverted Mohau Nkota’s cross into his own net. They equalised just before half-time through Calvin Bassey, who headed in Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s delivery, although replays suggested the ball struck his arm before crossing the line. With no VAR in African qualifiers, the goal stood.

Despite dominating the second half, Nigeria failed to create clear chances, with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams rarely tested. The result leaves South Africa six points clear at the summit, edging closer to their first World Cup since hosting in 2010.

Nigeria’s faint hopes may rest on a pending FIFA ruling over South Africa’s alleged use of an ineligible player against Lesotho earlier in the campaign.

Egypt held in Burkina Faso

Elsewhere, Egypt missed the chance to book an early ticket to the finals after being held to a goalless draw in Ouagadougou. Victory would have secured progression with two games to spare, but the Pharaohs now face a wait to confirm their place.

How African qualification works
Only the nine group winners across Africa will automatically secure spots at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The four best-ranked runners-up will go into a playoff for a place at next year’s intercontinental tournament.